PhD Program Requirements

Program Goal

The goal of the PhD program is to prepare graduates for positions in research-intensive institutions if they so choose. This preparation will also enable them to work at other types of educational institutions and industry positions.

Program Curriculum and Concentrations

Students complete a common core curriculum that spans the communication and information fields. After completing the core, students choose a concentration area in advertising, communication studies, information sciences, journalism and electronic media, or public relations. Students may also create a personalized concentration area.

The content of the doctoral program consists of the following requirements

Cognate (9 hours): Defined by the student and his/her program committee.

Dissertation (24 hours)

To complete the above program of 62 semester hours, a student should anticipate at least three years of full-time study, which includes time for dissertation research. A comprehensive examination is given when the student has completed all required and prescribed courses.

The comprehensive examination must be taken within five years and all requirements must be completed within eight years from the time of a student's first enrollment in the doctoral program.

Be prepared to be successful in academic positions at local, regional and research-intensive institutions.

Have confidence in their research abilities.

Have had the opportunity to prepare, submit and present/publish research manuscripts before completion of their degree either alone or in conjunction with faculty.

Be well versed in philosophy of inquiry, be familiar with the theoretical and methodological traditions that constitute the body of knowledge in areas of communication and information studies, and steeped in the literature of at least one (preferably more) specific discipline(s) represented by the college.

Have a working knowledge of the fundamental principles and practices of at least one discipline represented by the larger university beyond their primary area within communication and information study.

Be prepared to teach in the classroom at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Have experience with the scholarly and professional associations relevant to their area of study/teaching.

Have an understanding of the types of service expectations they may encounter in their academic careers.